Minimally-invasive portal system for performing lumbar decompression, instrumented fusion/stabilization, and the like
The present invention provides a minimally-invasive portal system for performing lumbar decompression, instrumented fusion/stabilization, and the like. The minimally-invasive portal system utilizes an access tube having an adjustable cross-sectional area and one or more retractor devices each having a first portion and a second portion aligned at a predetermined angle relative to the first portion, wherein the first portion of each of the one or more retractor devices is disposed substantially concentrically with the access tube, and wherein the second portion of each of the one or more retractor devices protrudes substantially beyond a bottom portion of the access tube. The minimally-invasive portal system also utilizes a plurality of adjustment mechanisms for selectively adjusting the cross-sectional area of the access tube and one or more retaining clips for securing the one or more retractor devices to the access tube in a fixed position.
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The present non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/639,936, filed Dec. 29, 2004, and entitled “MINIMALLY-INVASIVE PORTAL SYSTEM FOR PERFORMING LUMBAR DECOMPRESSION, INSTRUMENTED FUSION/STABILIZATION, AND THE LIKE,” which is incorporated in-full by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to the medical and surgical fields. More specifically, the present invention relates to a minimally-invasive portal system for performing lumbar decompression, instrumented fusion/stabilization, and the like. Advantageously, the minimally-invasive portal system of the present invention provides enhanced access to and visualization of an area of interest within the body of a human patient, a veterinary patient, or the like, such that a surgical procedure may be performed, especially a surgical procedure involving the lumbar or cervical spine of the patient.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONVarious portal systems exist in the prior art for providing access to and visualization of an area of interest within the body of a human patient, a veterinary patient, or the like, such that a surgical procedure may be performed, especially a surgical procedure involving the lumbar or cervical spine of the patient. However, none of these portal systems are capable of being inserted and/or adjusted such that they are sufficiently minimally invasive. Advantageously, minimally-invasive medical and surgical systems and procedures result in as little damage and trauma to adjacent anatomical structures as possible, thus minimizing discomfort and speeding recovery. For example, it is important in surgical procedures involving the lumbar or cervical spine of a patient to minimize damage and trauma to the skin, musculature, and ligaments adjacent to the spine. Of primary importance, however, is providing an adequate field of view.
Thus, what is needed is an improved minimally-invasive portal system that provides enhanced access to and visualization of an area of interest within the body of a human patient, a veterinary patient, or the like, such that a surgical procedure may be performed, especially a surgical procedure involving the lumbar or cervical spine of the patient. The minimally-invasive portal system should be relatively simple to insert, adjust, and remove, and should provide an adequate field of view.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn various exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides a minimally-invasive portal system that provides enhanced access to and visualization of an area of interest within the body of a human patient, a veterinary patient, or the like, such that a surgical procedure may be performed, especially a surgical procedure involving the lumbar or cervical spine of the patient. Advantageously, the minimally-invasive portal system of the present invention is relatively simple to insert, adjust, and remove, and provides an adequate field of view.
In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a minimally-invasive portal system for performing a medical or surgical procedure includes an access tube having a selectively adjustable cross-sectional area; and one or more retractor devices each having a first portion and a second portion aligned at a predetermined angle relative to the first portion, wherein the first portion of each of the one or more retractor devices is disposed substantially concentrically with the access tube, and wherein the second portion of each of the one or more retractor devices protrudes substantially beyond a bottom portion of the access tube.
In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a minimally-invasive portal system for performing a medical or surgical procedure includes an access tube having a selectively adjustable cross-sectional area; a plurality of adjustment mechanisms coupled to the access tube for selectively adjusting the cross-sectional area of the access tube; and one or more retractor devices each having a first portion and a second portion aligned at a predetermined angle relative to the first portion, wherein the first portion of each of the one or more retractor devices is disposed substantially concentrically with the access tube, and wherein the second portion of each of the one or more retractor devices protrudes substantially beyond a bottom portion of the access tube.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a minimally-invasive method for performing a medical or surgical procedure includes disposing an access tube having a selectively adjustable cross-sectional area at least partially with the body of a patient; and disposing one or more retractor devices each having a first portion and a second portion aligned at a predetermined angle relative to the first portion at least partially within an interior volume defined by the access tube, wherein the first portion of each of the one or more retractor devices is disposed substantially concentrically with the access tube, and wherein the second portion of each of the one or more retractor devices protrudes substantially beyond a bottom portion of the access tube.
The present invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers denote like system components or method steps, and in which:
In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides a minimally-invasive portal system that provides enhanced access to and visualization of an area of interest within the body of a human patient, a veterinary patient, or the like, such that a surgical procedure may be performed, especially a surgical procedure involving the lumbar or cervical spine of the patient. Advantageously, the minimally-invasive portal system of the present invention is relatively simple to insert, adjust, and remove, and provides an adequate field of view.
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One or more retractor devices 16 are selectively disposed concentrically within/through the access tube 12. Each of the one or more retractor devices 16 includes a top portion 18 which remains external to the body of the patient, a central portion 20 which is disposed concentrically within the access tube 12, and a bottom portion 22 which is disposed through and protrudes beneath the access tube 12 into the body of the patient. The bottom portion 22 of each of the one or more retractor devices 16 is disposed at a predetermined angle (θ) 24 relative to the central portion 20 of each of the one or more retractor devices 16, the predetermined angle (θ) 24 varying from about 0 degrees to about 45 degrees, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Optionally, the predetermined angle (θ) 24 is adjustable during the procedure to be performed. It should be noted that the central portion 20 and the bottom portion 22 of each of the one or more retractor devices 16 may be sized and/or shaped such that they fit comfortably within/through the access tube 12 and provide visualization of/access to an exposed area 26 via a portal 28. Preferably, the top portion 18 of each of the one or more retractor devices 16 includes a post 30 and handle 32, which may be selectively removable.
In use, one or more retaining clips 34 (described in greater detail herein below) may be used to selectively couple the one or more retractor devices 16 to the access tube 12. Preferably, the access tube 12 incorporates one or more adjustment mechanisms 36 (also described in greater detail herein below). The one or more adjustment mechanisms 36 are each operable for selectively adjusting the diameter or dimensions of the access tube 12, and, correspondingly, the separation of the one or more retractor devices 16, the diameter or dimensions of the portal 28, and the diameter or dimensions of the exposed area 26, providing visualization and/or access flexibility.
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It should be noted that any medically/surgically suitable materials may be used to manufacture the components of the minimally-invasive portal system of the present invention. Such materials are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and may include, but are not limited to, suitable metals, plastics, and composite materials.
Although the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to preferred embodiments and examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and/or examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve similar results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention and are intended to be covered by the following claims.
Claims
1. A minimally-invasive portal system for performing a medical or surgical procedure, comprising:
- an access tube comprising a selectively adjustable cross-sectional area, wherein the cross-sectional area is adjustable in a first direction via at least one first adjustment mechanism and in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction via at least one second adjustment mechanism, and wherein the access tube defines a depth;
- a retractor device comprising a first portion and a second portion aligned at a predetermined angle relative to the first portion, wherein the first portion of the retractor device is configured to be disposed substantially concentrically within the access tube such that the access tube depth extends along substantially the entire length of the first portion of the retractor device, and wherein the second portion of the retractor device protrudes substantially beyond a bottom edge of the access tube, wherein the retractor device further comprises a third portion fixedly attached to a top region of the first portion, the third portion protruding outward beyond a top edge of the access tube, wherein the retractor device further comprises a handle portion attached to the third portion; and
- one or more retaining clips configured to secure the retractor device to the access tube in a fixed position relative to one another, wherein each of the one or more retaining clips comprises a body portion and a tongue portion, wherein the body portion is substantially U-shaped and configured to simultaneously engage, within a region defined by the U-shaped body portion and in direct physical contact, the top edge of the access tube and the top region of the first portion of the retractor device during securement of the retractor device and the access tube, wherein the tongue portion at least partially defines an opening through which the handle portion of the retractor device protrudes during securement of the retractor device and the access tube by the U-shaped body portion of the clip.
2. The minimally-invasive portal system of claim 1, wherein the access tube comprises a plurality of segments, wherein the relative position of each of the plurality of segments is selectively adjustable relative to the remainder of the plurality of segments.
3. The minimally-invasive portal system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined angle is between about 0 degrees and about 45 degrees.
4. A minimally-invasive portal system for performing a medical or surgical procedure, comprising:
- an access tube comprising a selectively adjustable cross-sectional area, wherein the cross-sectional area is adjustable in a first direction via a pair of first adjustment mechanisms and in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction via a pair of second adjustment mechanisms;
- a retractor device comprising a first portion and a second portion aligned at a predetermined angle relative to the first portion, wherein the first portion of the retractor device is configured to be disposed substantially concentrically within the access tube, and wherein the second portion of the retractor device protrudes substantially beyond a bottom edge of the access tube, wherein the retractor device further comprises a third portion fixedly attached to a top region of the first portion, the third portion protruding substantially beyond a top edge of the access tube, wherein the retractor device further comprises a handle portion attached to the third portion; and
- one or more retaining clips configured to simultaneously engage the retractor device and the access tube to secure the retractor device and the access tube in a fixed position relative to one another, wherein each of the one or more retaining clips comprises a body portion and a tongue portion, wherein the body portion is substantially U-shaped and defines a channel configured to receive therein and simultaneously engage the top edge of the access tube and the top region of the first portion of the retractor device during securement of the retractor device and the access tube, wherein the tongue portion at least partially defines an opening through which the handle portion of the retractor device protrudes during securement of the retractor device and the access tube by the U-shaped body portion of the clip.
5. The minimally-invasive portal system of claim 4, wherein the access tube comprises a plurality of segments, wherein the relative position of each of the plurality of segments is selectively adjustable relative to the remainder of the plurality of segments.
6. The minimally-invasive portal system of claim 4, wherein the predetermined angle is between about 0 degrees and about 45 degrees.
7. A minimally-invasive method for performing a medical or surgical procedure, comprising:
- disposing an access tube at least partially within the body of a patient, wherein the access tube comprises a selectively adjustable cross-sectional area that is adjustable in a first direction via at least one first adjustment mechanism and in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction via at least one second adjustment mechanism, and wherein the access tube defines a depth;
- disposing a retractor device at least partially within an interior volume defined by the access tube, the retractor device comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, wherein the first portion of the retractor device is disposed substantially concentrically within the access tube such that the access tube depth extends along substantially the entire length of the first portion of the retractor device, and wherein the second portion of each of the one or more retractor devices is aligned at a predetermined angle relative to the first portion and protrudes substantially beyond a bottom edge of the access tube, wherein the third portion is fixedly attached to a top region of the first portion, the third portion protruding substantially beyond a top edge of the access tube, wherein the retractor device further comprises a handle portion attached to the third portion; and
- securing the retractor device to the access tube in a fixed position using one or more retaining clips by positioning a body portion of the one or more retaining clips to simultaneously engage the top edge of the access tube and the top region of the first portion of the retractor device during securement of the retractor device and the access tube, wherein the retaining clip comprises a tongue portion that at least partially defines an opening through which the handle portion of the retractor device protrudes as the body portion simultaneously engages the top edge of the access tube and the top region of the first portion of the retractor device in direct physical contact.
8. The minimally-invasive method of claim 7, wherein the access tube comprises a plurality of segments, wherein the relative position of each of the plurality of segments is selectively adjustable relative to the remainder of the plurality of segments.
9. The minimally-invasive method of claim 7, wherein the predetermined angle is between about 0 degrees and about 45 degrees.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Dec 29, 2005
Date of Patent: Oct 29, 2013
Patent Publication Number: 20060142642
Assignee: US Spine, Inc. (Salt Lake City, UT)
Inventors: Robert E. Lins (Boca Raton, FL), Loren E. Lins (Boca Raton, FL), Harvey Simovitch (Boca Raton, FL)
Primary Examiner: Kevin T Truong
Assistant Examiner: Christian Sevilla
Application Number: 11/323,002
International Classification: A61B 1/32 (20060101);